To honor Maryland track and field and cross country seniors, umterps.com will feature letters about each of their experiences as Terps. Here are the letters from Venida Fagan, Kathryn Gearhart and Anna Latzko.
Venida Fagan, sprints
Dear Maryland,
Though I didn't get to enjoy you as long as everyone else did, I can without a doubt say that the two years I did get to spend with you have been some of the best years of my life. Leaving my old school in Orlando and taking the risk to come up here was undeniably one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make, also one of the scariest. I knew nobody. I had no family up here and as of yet had made no friends.
But what I found at Maryland superseded anything that I thought imaginable. In my teammates I found a new group of sisters and brothers and formed bonds that I know I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I began to love my sport again and the people I did it with. My teammates and I have laughed together, we've cried together, and we have run fast together. They have motivated me to do my best both on and off the track, and they have helped me to both realize and harness my potential.
Along with being great friends, they motivate and encourage me and are truly my role models. My coaches are the world's greatest mentors. It is not often where you find a group of people who are so genuinely dedicated to your success not only as an athlete but as an all-around person. They teach you and mold, but they don't change you. My coaches have taught me to embrace my weaknesses, but also capitalize on my strengths.
Aside from track, the Maryland Made staff has dedicated so much time into helping me become my best professional self. I will always remember spending hours in the office talking about what it is I want to do, who I want to become, and the best way to get there. My Monday nights with FCA brought me to a group of athletes, who have common goal and can embrace that. I believe being at this school has made my path a little clearer, and I truly believe that I've been given the tools and made connections to be successful. It hurts a little to know that my senior year and senior season did not go how I would have hoped it to, but I am happy that I had the experiences I had.
With the transition from college to the real world, there lies a lot of uncertainty, but its not anything that a Terp cannot handle. Im thankful for all of the people I have met and all the of the relationships I have developed, because with each encounter I learned something new.
This school and its people have had a lasting impression on me, and I feel equipped handle anything that comes my way. I did not start my college journey here, but Im glad I got to finish here. Once a Terp, always a Terp.
With love,
Venida
Kathryn Gearhart, cross country/distance
Dear Maryland,
Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the University of Maryland always seemed like an unachievable goal, not a destination. I watched the sports teams play and looked up to the athletes I saw on the field. Once I began running competitively and wanted to pursue running at the collegiate level, I knew that I wanted to be a Terp. Once I had committed, I was excited for the new experience to represent the University of Maryland.
Running has always been my number one passion, and it has been so much fun to share this experience with like-minded athletes. We all understand each other and have mutual respect for each other. My teammates became an instant family. We became extremely close and pulled each other through long runs and workouts, and were always there for each other if anybody needed anything. Thank you, Maryland for introducing me to these people and helping create these lifelong friendships.
It is extremely disappointing that this season was cut short. There were still many races to be run, memories to be made, and goals to chase. Although this is a difficult time for all of us seniors, we have had great experiences throughout our time at Maryland and I wouldn't change it for the world.
The past four years have been a ride full of ups and downs. It certainly wasn't always easy or fun, but I believe that I am a much better person because of the experiences that I have had as a Terp and the friendships I have made. I will miss the days spent in the locker room at VTH, running hard workouts on the track, and traveling and competing at meets with my teammates. Even though it is almost over, the memories will last forever, and I will always be proud to be a Terp.
I want to thank my coaches for giving me the opportunity to represent the University of Maryland on the track and cross-country course, my teammates for always being there through the good times and bad, trainers for helping me stay healthy and ready for every practice and competition, and academic support for helping me reach my academic potential. Finally, I would like to thank my parents for supporting me through it all, I couldn't have done it without you!
Go Terps!
Kathryn
Anna Latzko, cross country/distance
Dear Maryland,
Thank you for everything. For me, going to Maryland was not a direct route. I never would have thought I would end up where I am now. Senior year of high school I applied to most in-state schools, Maryland being one of them. I originally committed to another university to run, and then decided I wanted to move beyond competition days.
Changing that aspect of college caused me to change schools entirely, and I chose university of Maryland. Two aspects that took up most of my time in college were running and classes. I came into Maryland not on any sports teams, and a computer engineering major. Sophomore year I switched majors; I always wanted to go to medical school and enjoyed engineering, thus I picked bioengineering. The engineering department and pre-health office were really helpful with this transition. Even though I was behind on classes, I felt like I had so many people supporting me.
As for running, I spent the first two years of college on Club Running. This experience was invaluable to me. Everybody there wanted to run; no coaches, no scholarships, no apparel; everybody just ran for the love of the sport. This brought back my love for running and competition. The passion for the sport built the more I ran. I did a couple half marathons, a marathon, and a triathlon. I wanted to make the most of running. Junior year I was given the opportunity to walk on the track team thanks to Coach Jelley and Coach Valmon.
I was apprehensive at first; the Maryland track team was amazing and I didn't know if I could meet the demands. I took the chance, and never really looked back. I'd be lying if I said it felt natural at first. I had already spent most of college running, but now I got so much more for it. It was so normal for the older team members to come into the varsity team house and see a trainer or have a coach to talk to. For me, it was amazing to have those opportunities. I guess what I am getting at is that not being on the team at first really made me appreciate being on the team.
Another aspect of Maryland I want to touch on is the people. No matter where you are, or what you're doing, people can make or break the situation. I want to thank Maryland for helping me meet the best people I know. There is a sense of care, unity, and support amongst my friends, coaches, professors, and other Maryland members that I hadn't found before. It makes me proud to be part of this group. I can't wait to give back to the university and visit as an alumnae one day. This was more personal than I meant it to be, but I wanted to share my unique journey and really specify why I am so thankful for this community.
Forever a Terp:)
Best,
Anna Latzko
-TERPS-
